A Resurrection Sunday Like No Other In New Galilee.

Story by Mark Peterson. Photos by Taylor Murphy and Mark Peterson.

(New Galilee, PA) For the second week in a row, the concept of gathering together for church services was “resurrected” at the New Galilee Church of The Nazarene.  An estimated 80 plus cars piled into three parking  lots adjacent to the the little country church at the corner of Washington Street and Locust Avenue in New Galilee and tuned in to Beaver County Radio for an early afternoon Easter celebration.

Worshipers raise hands from the bed of a pickup at the outdoor drive in Easter Sunday service at New Galilee Church of The Nazarene. Photo courtesy of Taylor Murphy.

The opening act this week was a polished performance by Luke Reynolds, who normally would find himself singing songs and leading worship at nearby Word Alive Church in Ellwood City on a typical Sunday, but today, he was singing his heart out before rows of cars on a slightly overcast, but relatively comfortable afternoon for April in Western Pennsylvania.  The main act then made its grand entrance as Pastor Andy Russell re enacted Jesus’ final act of bearing his own cross before being crucified, by carrying a life size cross himself through the parking lot and then eventually up the the little grassy hill where he would deliver the rest of his sermon.

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As one tuned in on the radio,  the periodic honking of horns was easily picked up by the microphones used for Sunday’s service, and replaced what would typically have been applause.  Russell himself was humbled by how well the new drive in church concept was being received so far.  “Many of these people don’t even go to our church, but they are coming here anyways” he observed while gesturing to the lot quickly filling up with cars beforehand.  By all accounts, the two week old tradition of outdoor drive in church coupled with a live broadcast on WBVP, WMBA, 99.3 F.M. and The Beaver County Radio Live Online Audio Stream has gone very well and it’s not stopping just yet.  Pastor Russell stated “We’ve received such positive support for this ministry, we are going to go ahead and do it for two more weeks after this.”

So, the box office drive in hit will run for at least two more weeks with a “matinee” and radio broadcast beginning at 1 P.M. for the next two Sundays at the New Galilee Church of The Nazarene.